- Apple harvest in Saxony-Anhalt is poor
The State Farmers' Association expects a poor apple harvest in Saxony-Anhalt this year. "The start of the apple season will not bring a good harvest for the most part," a spokesperson for the association said in response to a query. The late frosts at the end of May have caused significant damage. Some operations have already begun harvesting in the past few days.
This is also the case for the fruit farm Hornemann in the district of Börde. "We have a loss of 80 percent this year, we have never had such a large loss before," said Sabine Hornemann, the owner of the farm in Süplingen. In previous years, the damage was a maximum of 20 percent, she recalled. "Nature was simply two weeks earlier than usual this year. Frost in April is not uncommon, but this year it hit the apples in their most vulnerable phase." The situation is even worse for other fruit varieties, with apricots at 95 percent loss and plums at 100 percent, according to Hornemann.
The exact extent is still unclear
The situation is similar on other fruit farms, a spokesperson for the farmers' association explained. A small part of the apple harvest has been saved through protective measures, such as protective fleece and heat sources. However, it is not yet known how much of the original cultivation area in Saxony-Anhalt can be harvested. Nevertheless, it is already clear that the harvest quantity will be significantly lower than in previous years. In 2023, 12,500 tons of apples were harvested in Saxony-Anhalt, compared to 12,200 tons the year before.
Further problems arise
In the lower-lying areas, not a single apple could be harvested, said Hornemann. "There's nothing to gather there, so we don't even need to drive in." The few apples that were harvested are also particularly large, making them more susceptible and harder to sell.
But the lack of harvest and poor quality is not the only problem, added the farmer. "Because there were fewer fruits on the trees and it was significantly wetter than in previous years, the trees have grown unusually strongly."
Fruit growers need help
However, the poor harvest is not an immediate cause for concern for the Hornemann operation. "We are direct marketers. We will simply buy more apples, pears, and plums from colleagues this year and keep ourselves afloat." The harvests in other regions, such as Lake Constance, have been significantly better. "But operations in other regions where the harvest is poor and only produce for trade need help." Nationwide, a loss of 25 percent is expected for the apple harvest, estimated Hornemann. "That makes a difference and will certainly have an impact on prices."
Despite the protective measures, a significant portion of the original apple cultivation area in Saxony-Anhalt remains unrecoverable for harvesting. Despite the poor harvest, fruit growers like Sabine Hornemann are still engaged in harvesting, albeit facing challenges with the size and quality of the apples.
